Just for Today: Lonnie’s Story of Growth and Redemption

May 8, 2025

Early Years

Lonnie was born in Gallatin, Tennessee, on July 20, 1979. Growing up, life was never easy — but it was filled with love. His mother and aunt raised Lonnie and his two brothers almost entirely on their own, balancing faith, strength, and fierce devotion. His mother worked hard to make ends meet and create a stable life for her three children.

As a young man, Lonnie had big dreams and natural talent. He was a gifted athlete, breaking records in track and shining in football. “Life was good when my brothers and I were younger,” Lonnie recounts. Somewhere along the way, life’s temptations pulled him off course. At 16, he got caught up in drugs and soon, he found himself in and out of incarceration, creating a painful cycle nearly impossible to escape.

Hardships and Loss

Lonnie’s choices took a toll not just on him, but on those he loved most — his five kids, his family, and his younger brother, many of whom had to distance themselves from the chaos Lonnie’s choices created. “It’s been hard on my kids,” Lonnie confessed. Over the years, trust was shattered, bridges burned, and the relationships he once had with his family deteriorated because of the path he chose.

Emotionally he recounts the darkest chapter of his life — a time when he was without a home, vulnerable and alone. During a violent encounter, he was stabbed and declared dead by paramedics. Against all odds, he was brought back to life — a moment he describes as nothing short of a miracle —  a clear sign that he had been given a second chance.

New Beginnings through Dismas House

At 45 years old, Lonnie found a new home — not just a roof over his head, but a place where he was welcomed with open arms: Dismas House. Unlike anywhere he’d been before, Dismas House wasn’t just a stopping point, but a safe place to land. It was a place of growth; where people cared. Here Lonnie found patience, structure, and above all, hope.

“This is my first time ever being clean and sober,” Lonnie said with quiet pride. “It’s also my first time keeping a job this long.” His newfound career began in the detailing department for a trucking company but quickly showed that he was capable of much more. He got promoted to a role installing cameras and tablets, and when layoffs came, his reputation for hard work saved him. Not long after, he was promoted again to working on the 18-wheelers themselves. “I have a job I like,” Lonnie said, beaming. “I have PTO, vacation time—50-something hours of it! That’s something I never had before.”

His attendance, his effort, his hard work — all of it opened doors he never thought he could walk through. Lonnie’s growth is measured in big milestones and small daily victories. He proudly paid off $2,700 in fees to get his driver’s license reinstated and bought his own car. Through the help and resources at Dismas House, he’s stayed on top of bills, saved money, and rebuilt his relationships with his children and his brother.

Relationships Restored

What Lonnie attributes as the best thing that has come out of his time at Dismas House has been the opportunity to rebuild relationships that matter most. “I hadn’t heard my mom say she was proud of me in years, but I hear it often now.” His mother — who once could only offer him a warm bath and a prayer — now wrapped him in a hug on Easter Sunday and said, “This is my son that I believe in.” His brother, once disappointed, now proudly calls him someone he can talk to. His children, especially the ones who once turned away from the pain of his choices — now text him, call him, and lean on him. He picks them up for haircuts, sends money for their needs, and shows up in ways he never could before.

When asked what a good life means to him, Lonnie didn’t hesitate. “Being happy,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been happy. How could I be, when I was letting everybody else down—my mama, my brother, my kids? But now, seeing them happy… everything’s all right with me now.”

Dreams for the Future

Lonnie’s dreams for the future are simple, but profound: Stay positive. Stay sober. Live a good life. He wants to be known as a “loving, caring, kind person who would give the shirt off his back if you needed it.”

Each morning, he grounds himself with the Serenity Prayer, a prayer he first began reciting during his time incarcerated:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference — just for today.”

Just for today, he tells himself — a small but mighty promise, shaped by resilience and held together by a second chance.